$H Ve. Scandinavia

In Scandinavian mythology the son of Borr, and brother of Odin and = Vili, which names see. (1876c1)

$H Ve-adar.

The intercalary month of the Jewish year, which answered to the Assyrian Arakh-makru. (1876c1)

$H Vectis.

R. (veho, to carry). A bar of= wood or iron used as a lever, crow‑bar, capstan bar, or pole for carrying burdens on the back; the workman who made use of a vectis was called vectiarius.(1883m1)

$H Veda.

Veda. The great collection of sacred books= of the Hindus, the date of the compilation of which is unknown, but the hymn= s in which were probably written about B.C. 1500. It consists chiefly of four chief sections called respectively the Rig-veda, the Yajur-veda, the Sama= -veda, and the Atharva-veda. (1876c1)

$H Vedas.

Vedas (from Sanskrit= vid, to= know), Hind. Four collections of sacred books said to have been collated about 3= 000 B.C. from earlier documents. They are the RIGVEDA, a collection of hymns = and prayers; the YAJURVEDA, liturgical and ceremonial ordinances; SAMAVEDA, lyrical pieces; and ATHARVAVEDA, chiefly incantations. Besides the above, each Veda contains fragmentary writings called Sambuta, and dogmatic tre= atises called Brahm= ana; and certain Commentaries, called. Upavedas, Vedangas, and Upangas are regarded as forming a fifth Veda. The above form the sacred books of the Hindoo religion.(1883m1)

$H Vedi.

In Vedic mythology the holy place immediat= ely round an altar. (1876c1)

$H Vegetable Blue Black. <= /span> (See BLUE BLACK.) (1883m1)

$H Vegetable Ivory.

Nuts of a South Amer= ican palm (Phytel= ephas macrocarpa) resembling ivory, and much used for ornamental carving.(1883m1)

$H Vehicle. <= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Painting

Vehicles or Mediums.= The liquid in which pigments are applied. In fresco and water‑colour painting gum‑wat= er is used; in distemper painting, = size; in oil painting, the fixed oi= ls of linseed, nut, and poppy. In encau= stic wax is used. (See also MEDIUM, COPAL, ITALIAN VARNISH, MEGYLP, &c.)(1883m1)

Vehicle. (Paint.) The liquid with which pigments are lai= d on in painting is termed the vehicle. Different vehicles are used in differe= nt branches of painting. In water‑colour of course the vehicle is wate= r; in oil‑painting oils of various kinds are used [Oil], while wax is = the vehicle in encaustic painting.(1891a1)

$H Vein.

The threads of various shades which are to be seen in marble, and which add so much to its decorative effect; also the defects which exist in stones that are to be cut, and in the white marble used by= the sculptor.(1891a1)

$H Veisdates.

A Persian chief of the city of Tarba, who claiming to= have been Bardes, the son of Cyrus, incited the Pe= rsians to rebel against Darius Hystaspes, and for a = time became king of Per= sia. Darius sent against him his general Artabardes, who defeated him first at the city of Racha, and afterwards at the m= ountain of Parga, whither Veisdates had fled. He was then sent prisoner to Darius, by whom he was impaled at the town of Chadidia,= together with his principal officials. (1876c1)

$H Veispares.

The father of Intaphe= rnes, the chief officer of Darius Hystaspes. (1876c= 1)

$H Velamen and Velamen= tum.

R. (velum, a veil). A veil worn by women, concealing the whole person. (See FLAMMEUM.)(1883m1)

$H Velarium.

R. (velum, a covering). An awning stretched over a theatre; usual= ly of woollen cloth, but sometimes of more costly materials.(1883m1)

In ancient times the term velarium<= /span> was applied to large awnings which were fixed with ropes to the top of ma= sts and protected the spectators in the theatre from the heat of the sun.(189= 1a1)

$H Velatura.

It. A mode of glazin= g, adopted by the early Italian painters, by which the = colour was rubbed on by all the fingers or the flat of the hand, so as to fill t= he interstices left by the brush, and cover the entire surface of the picture thinly and evenly. (Fairholt.)(1883m1)

$H Velatus.

R. (velo, to cover). Veiled or wearing flowing garments; having the forehead encircled with a garland. <= span class=3DSpellE>Milites= velati<= /i> were supernumerary soldiers who filled the places of those who were killed or disabled.(1883m1)

$H Velites.

R. A body of light&#= 8209;armed infantry not forming part of the legion, who skirmished in small companie= s.(1883m1)

$H Vellum.

Fine parchment from = the skins of calves; any parchment binding is by librarians technically descr= ibed as vellum. It is a beautiful substitute for paper, for luxurious printing= of books for presentation, &c., and was much used by mediaeval artists f= or painting and illuminating.(1883m1)

The skin of a calf. Vellum was used for illuminated book= s in the Middle Ages, and at a later age for miniature painting. To this purpo= se it is still put, any inequalities in its surface being first removed by pumice stone. Any blemishes in the absorption of colour, which is inevita= ble in this material, is thus avoided, and it has the advantage of being extraordinarily durable and lasting for centuries. It is also used for ta= king proofs of engravings and etchings.(1891a1)

$H Velours.

(Fr. Velvet). A kind= of velvet or plush for furniture, carpets, &c., manufactured in Prussia, partly of linen, and partly of double cotton warps with mohair yarn weft.= (Simmonds' Commercial Di= ct.)(1883m1)

--- $H V= elours d'Utrecht.

A woollen velvet, for tapestry, &c., made in the Netherlands.(1883m1)

$H Veloute. Fr. Velvet lace.(1883m1)

$H Velum.

R. (1) A general term for any kind of sail, esp= . the square main‑sail of a s= hip in contradistinction to the other sails.

(2) The curtain or d= rop‑scene of a theatre.

(3) The curtain or h= anging put up as a covering in front of a door.

(4) A synonym for VELARIUM.(1883m1)

A curtain hung over a door or window was called a velum by the Romans, but in mode= rn times the word has another signification. It denotes a piece of drapery o= r a strip of stuff which is suspended horizontally so as to sift the light an= d to intercept the rays of the sun. The velum is sometimes held in its position by being tied with cords to lance‑= ;heads; it then serves as a temporary shelter or decoration. In studios and exhibition galleries a velum = is frequently stretched across the ceiling to intercept the light falling fr= om above.(1891a1)

$H = Velure. (Fr, velours). Velvet. (Shakespeare.)(1883m1)

$H Velvet.

(Ital. velluto; hairy or shaggy,= like an animal's skin) was introduced into England in the 13th century= . Velvet upon velvet is that where= the pattern shows itself in a double = pile, one pile higher than the other. "Purshed" velvet was velvet raised in a network pattern.(1883m1)

--- $H Velvet Painting. The art of painting on fine velvet.= (1883m1)

$H Velveteen. A kind of FUSTIAN.(1883m1)

$H Venabulum.

R. (venor, to hunt). A huntin= g‑spear, a strong staff with a broad lozenge‑shaped iron head.(1883m1)<= /o:p>

$H Venationes.

Hunting scenes and s= ports in the arena in which wild beasts were introduced fighting with each other a= nd with men, a common subject of representation on bas‑reliefs on anci= ent tombs.(1883m1)

$H Vendidad-sade.

The Persian name of the Vidae-vadata, which see. (1876c1)

$H Veneer.

A method of decorating pieces of furniture, by means of cutting out slips of variously coloured wood and by applying the pieces t= hus cut out to woods of inferior value. Veneer of mahogany is the characteris= tic of an epoch in the history of furniture.(1891a1)

$H Veneering.

Veneering is the art= of covering wooden objects with a thin slice of ornamental wood, so as to gi= ve the whole the false appearance of being made of the superior wood. It is distinct from MARQUETRY or INLAID‑WORK (q.v.).(1883m1)

$H Veneficium.

R. The crime of pois= oning; an accusation abused by the ancient Romans almost as that of witchcraft w= as in the middle ages.(1883m1)

$H Venetian Blinds.

Venetian Blinds are = those made of laths strung together.(1883m1)

$H Venetian Chalk. <= /span>

A white talc used for marking cloth, &c.(1883m1)

$H Venetian Door.

A door lighted by pa= nes of glass on each side.(1883m1)

$H Venetian Point. <= /span>

The engraving repres= ents an exquisite specimen of Venetian point lace in relief, shown at the International Exhibition, 1874, among other wonderful reproductions of ancient needle‑made lace. (For method of working, see NEEDLE POINT.= ) Fig. 682. Venetian point in relief, English made.(1883m1)

$H Venetian Porcelain. &nbs= p; (See ECUELLE.) (1883m1= )

$H Venetian Red or Scarlet Ochre.

A burnt ochre, used = as a pigment in oil and water colours. Its colour is red, alloyed with blue and yellow.(1883m1= )

$H Venetian shutte= r. Architecture

(Arch.) A shutter which consists of a frame, across which pieces of wood or iron are placed horizontally at some distance from one = another and inclined at such an angle that those inside a room can observe what is passing without, but cannot be seen themselves from outside.(1891a1)=

$H Venetian Window.

A window with three = separate lights.(1883m1)

$H Venew.

(Fr. venu). A bout at a fencin= g‑school.(1883m1)

$H Venice, Doge of.

The illustration rep= resents the state costume of the Doge of Venice, wearing the traditional cap of liberty, the ermine, and richly‑embroidered robes of his office.

Fig. 683. V= enice, Doge of, in state costume, 16th century.(1883m1)

$H Venice Turpentine.

A product of the lar= ch, used for varnishing pictures. It is liable to crack.(1883m1)=

$H Venice White. (See CARBONATE OF LEAD, BARYTES.) (= 1883m1)

$H Ventaile.

Avent= ail. Fr. (avant taille). The movable front of a helmet. (1883m1)

Ventaile or Aventail. A movable front to a helmet, through which the wearer breathed: ‑

"quâ ventus hauritur.&= quot;

"L'escu au col, la ventaille fermée." (Roman de Roncevaux.)(1883m1)<= /o:p>

$H = Vent‑hole.

(Arch.) An opening which admits air into subterranean ro= oms. ILLUS. venthol= e(1891a1)

$H Ventrale.

R. (venter, the belly). A gir= dle of peculiar shape, fastened round the loins over the abdomen.(1883m1)

$H Vents. Scotch. Chimneys.(1883m1)

$H Venturina and Ventu= rine.

Venturina, Sp. A precious stone, of a yellowish‑br= own colour. Hence: ‑ Venturine. A powder of gold used to sprinkle over japanned surfaces.(1883m1)

$H Venus. [See Aphrodite.] (1891a1)

$H Vera Icon.

Chr. The t= rue image impressed upon the SUDARIUM (q.v.) of St. Veronica. In St. Pete= r's at Rome, in a chapel dedicated to that saint, a painting on linen is shown as the verit= able napkin of St. Veronica; and a fine mosaic over the altar, after a design = by Andrea Sacchi, represents the incident. (See STOLE.)(1883m1)

$H Verandah. =

An open portico to a= house. In the tropical countries the open verandah is the principal apartment of= a house, and Society appear to the passers‑by, in their illuminated verandahs, like the actors on the stage of a theatre.(1883m1)<= /span>

(Arch.) A gallery, generally covered in with glass; a li= ght building open to the air and provided with blinds. The inhabitants of the East build verandahs running the whole length= of their houses. In many modern buildings verandahs take the form of greenhouses or glazed vestibules and are almost always b= uilt of iron. ILLUS. verandah(1891a1)

$H Verbena. <= /h1>

R. Sacred herbs torn= up by the roots from the enclosure of the Capitoline hill; which the Roman fetiales or ambassadors always carried in their hands on foreign embassies. (Compa= re VINDICIAE.)

"When an injury had been received from a foreign state four fetiales were deput= ed to seek redress, who again elected one of their number to act as representative. He was styled pat= er patratus populi Romani. A fillet of white wool was bound round his he= ad, together with a wreath of sacred = herbs gathered within the enclosure of the Capitoline hill (verbenae, Sagmina), whence he was called Verbenarius." (= Dr. Smith.)(1883m1)

$H Verber.

R. In a general sens= e, any kind of leather thong; as, for instance, the thong of a sling, the thong = of a whip for driving horses or scourging slaves, &c.(1883m1)

$H Verde Antico.

A green mottled serp= entine marble, used by ancient sculptors, found at Taygetos= . It is much valued for its beautiful markings.(1883m1)

A patina of bronze of a beautiful clear green tone found= on ancient bronzes. It is obtained artificially by applying a mixture of ammoniac vinegar and sea salt with a hair brush.(1891a1)

$H Verde Azurro.

It. (1) A native car= bonate of copper, of a greenish‑blue colour; t= he Armenian stone of Pliny. (2) A b= lue‑green pigment.(1883m1)

$H Verde Eterno.

A dark green pigment, anciently used by the Venetian painters.(1883m1)

$H Verdigris.

A bright acetate of = copper, used as a green pigment.(1883m1)

$H Verditer (Blue and Green).

Verditer. (Paint.) A colour used chiefly in distemper. It is found in a soft stone in copper mines, and th= en reduced to a powder and mixed with water. Some verdi= ters, used in the decoration of theatres, yield bright colours, while others are grey and dull.(1891a1)

Verditer, Green. A pigment used= in distemper painting. It is obtained from a kind of copper ochre or rust, b= ut it has the disadvantage of turning to a brown.(1891a1)<= /p>

Verditer (Blue and Green). A hydrated percarbonate of copper. It is generally prepared by decomposing the solution of nitrat= e of copper, by the addition of chalk. The refined blue and green verditers, see CARBONATES of COPPER (Mountain blue). The verditer know= n as Bremen Green is produced by subj= ecting copper to the action of sea salt and vitriol for three months. (Cf. CHRYSOCOLLA.)(1883m1)

$H Verdure.

A French term applied to pieces of tapestry or other hangings representing landscapes, in which green is the dominant tone bot= h in the central subjects and in the systems of ornament which make up the border.(1891a1)

$H Veretonus. Med. Lat. The VIRETON (q.v.). (1883= m1)

$H Verge.

O.E. A rod. In Media= eval Architecture the shaft of a column.(1883m1)

$H Verge‑boa= rd or Verge Board. <= /h1>

Verge‑board. [See Barge‑board.] (1891a1)

Verge Board, Arch. T= he external gable‑board of a house, which is often elaborately ornamented with carvings. (See BARGE BOARD.)(1883m1)

$H Vergers. <= /h1>

(Fr. verge, a staff). Officers who carry a rod or staff of office.= In the law courts a white wand, before the judges; in cathedrals, &c., a= rod tipped with silver.(1883m1)

$H Verguilla. Sp. Gold or silver wire, without si= lk.(1883m1)

$H Vermeil. Fr. Silver gilt, or gilt bronze.(18= 83m1)

$H Vermiculatum.

A kind of pavement d= isposed in wreathed lines like the undulations of worms (vermes). (See PAVIMENTUM.)(1883m1)

$H Vermilion.

The minium of the ancients. A bright and beautiful red colour.(1883m1)=

The bisulphuret of mercury in powder, a delicate bright red pigment which is pale or deep; supposed to be the pigment known to the Romans as minium.= (Cf. CINNABAR, RED LEAD.)(1883m1)

(Paint.) A bright red pigment. It is a sulphide of mercu= ry, and is found in a natural state or is manufactured artificially. It is a useful pigment, being permanent and having a good body. It loses its too brilliant tone with time and becomes a kind of brown.(1891a1)<= /span>

--- $H Vermilion, Chinese.

A pigment used in watercolour drawing. It is of a striki= ng red colour and should be laid on with sufficient lightness to allow the p= aper to be seen through it. When the vermilion is laid on too thickly, or is n= ot sufficiently diluted, it looks dull and opaque.(1891a1)=

$H Vermiculated.

(Arch.) A wall or other surface is said to be vermiculat= ed when it is covered with lines, like worms, describing irregular and sinuo= us curves. ILLUS. vermicul(1891a1)

$H Vernacle.

Chr. A term for the VERA ICON.(1883m1)<= /span>

$H Vernation. See ESTIVATION. (1883m1)

$H Vernier.

An instrument invented in the 17th century by Vernier, the geometrician. It consists of a small r= ule, so graduated as to allow the smallest dimensions to be measured. It is generally about nine millimetres in length, each millimetre being divided into ten equal parts. Thus fractions of a tenth of a millimetre may be measured.(1891a1)

$H Vernis‑Martin Work.

A Japanese style of = painting and enamelling on furniture, carriages, and s= mall objects, named after the introducer, who was born about 1706.(1883m1)

$H Vernon Gallery.

Vernon Gallery, foun= ded in 1847 by the gift of Mr. Robert Vernon of 157 pictures of the British scho= ol, is now in the South Kensington Museum.(1883m1)

$H Verona Green.

A variety of GREEN E= ARTH (q.v.). (See APPIANUM.)(1883m1)

$H Verona Serge.

A thin textile fabri= c, made of worsted, or mohair, and of cotton.(1883m1)

$H Veronese Green. (See CARBONATE OF COPPER.) (1883m1)=

$H Veronica, St.

Veronica. (See VERA ICON.) (1883m1)

According to an old legend when Jesus was on the way to = the cross a woman wiped His face with a napkin, upon which there appeared at = once an image of the face. This image was called the vera icon, or true image, and the woman to whose napkin it was transferred has been known as St. Veronica. One tradition says that St. Veronica was Berenice, the niece of Herod. Pi= ctures of St. Veronica holding up the handkerchief, upon which is an image of the face of Jesus, are common. In St. Peter's at Rome is an old picture of Christ on l= inen, which is regarded as the real napkin of St. Veronica.(1891a1)<= /span>

$H Ver Sacrum.

R. (lit. a holy (or dedicated) Spring). The dedication to sacrifice of all that is born in a certain year, in the months of March and April, was a common practice of = the early Italian nations, especially of the Sabines. In the most ancient times actual infanticide was a part of this offering;= but in later years the practice was modified as regarded children. They were brought up, under a vow of dedication, to the age of twenty‑one, and then with veiled faces expelled across the frontiers. Many colonies resul= ted from this practice.(1883m1)

$H Vert. (Her.) Heraldry

Vert, Her. Green, represented in engraving by lines sloping downwards from left to right.(1883m1)

Vert. (Her.) The heraldic colour green shown on a shield by diagonal lines from dexter to sinister.(1891a1)

$H Vert bleu, Fr. (See VERDE AZURRO.) (1883m1)

$H Vertical.

That which is perpendicular to the horizon is said to be vertical.(1891a1)

$H Verticillus.

R. (verto, to turn). The whor= l of a spindle, a small disk of wood, stone, or metal, by means of which a rotary movement is given to the spindle. (Cf. TURBO.)(1883m1)<= /p>

$H Veru.

R. Literally, a roas= ting‑spit made of wood and with an iron point. The term was also applied to a weapo= n of Samnite origin used by the Roman infantry, and bearing much resemblance to a spit. (2) An arrow or dart. (Fr. vire.)(= 1883m1)

$H Veruculum.

R. (dimin. of veru<= /span>). A small javelin used by the Roman infantry.(1883m1)

$H Vervels, Varvals. Her. Small rings.(1883m1)

$H Vesara.

Hind. A Hindoo temple built on a circular plan.(1883m1)

$H = Vesica Piscis.

Vesica Piscis. A term app= lied to the elliptical aureole, within which Christ is sometimes represented. Its literal meaning is the bladder of a fish, and it doubtless was given this name on account of the traditional symbolism in accordance with which Chr= ist is often represented by a fish. ILLUS. vesicapi(1891a1)

Vesica Piscis (in Italian= , mandorla, almond). The oblong glory surrounding the whole person of Our Lord, or the Virgin, or saints ascending into heaven. The seals of abbeys, colleges, and other religious establishments were all of this form. (See Fig. 684.) It is in form symbolical of the monogram = ÇP2LH[=3Dichthus]. (See = ACROSTIC.) Fig. 684. Vesica Piscis.(1883= m1)

$H Vespae.

Vespae, Vespillones. R. The bearers of a bier in a funeral were so called by the common people, becau= se they came to fetch the bodies in the evening (vespertino tempore).(1883m1)

$H Vespers. <= /h1>

Chr. In the Roman Church, the afternoon service; i= n the English Church, Evening Prayer.(1883m1)<= o:p>

$H Vespillones. [See Vespae - Editor]

$H Vessets. A kind of cloth.(1883m1)

$H Vest.

O.E. "A wide ga= rment reaching to the knees, open before, and turned up with a facing or lining, the sleeves turned up at the elbows." (Randle Holme, 1683.)(1883m1)=

$H Vestalia.

Gr. and R. Festivals= in honour of Vesta. Asses = were driven through Rome, carrying wreaths of flowers and rolls.(1883m1)

$H Vestals. <= /h1>

R. The priestesses o= f the goddess Vesta, to whom the charge was committ= ed of the sacred fire. They were originally four, subsequently six in number. T= heir distinctive dress was the infula fitting close to the head, with vittae depending, a long = tunic of white linen, and the purple TOGA, or mantle, with a long train to it.(1883m1)

$H Vested. Her. Clothed.(1883m1)

$H Vestibule. Architecture

(Arch.) A covered space at the entrance of a building or= in front of a staircase or room.(1891a1)

Arch. An entrance= 209;court or vacant space before the entrance to a house, temple, or other building. (See DOMUS.)(1883m1)

--- $H Vestibule, Tetrastyle.

A vestibule decorated with four detached columns.(1891a1= )

$H Vestment. =

Chr. The hangings of an altar, and the robes of the clergy; the term often comprises also the sacred vessels.(1883m1)

$H Vestry.

Chr. The modern vestiarium in a church; called also the SACRISTY.(1883= m1)

$H Vetas.

A fortress city, the stronghold of Lalla of Millid. It was= conquered by Shalmaneser II., king of Assyria. (1876c1)

$H Vetcifeu.

Vetos. Or Vetcifeu, "Soaker." An epithet applied to the god Bacchus on a Cypriote inscription in the Cesnola Collection. (1876c1)

$H Veterinary Art. Egypt

From various tomb-paintings with their inscriptions, it has been found that the Egyptians were in the habit of doctoring their animals. One painting represents a man forcing a bolus, which he has taken out of a vase in fro= nt of him, down the throat of an ox, the inscription above reads, "doctoring a young ox." Careful examination of the left humerus of a mummied ib= is, fractured and reunited in a particular way, convinced the learned Cuvier that it had undergone surgical treatment.(19= 02b1)

$H Vethym, or Vathym. O.E. A fathom ‑ six feet.(188= 3m1)

$H Vetos.